Underground Infrastructure
Malibu begins underground power line project to reduce wildfire risk
Southern California Edison has begun undergrounding power lines in Malibu as part of a wildfire mitigation and grid reliability initiative expected to continue through 2027.
Nashville weighs underground power line mandate for new developments
Nashville officials are considering a proposal that would require new developments with new streets to install underground power lines, aiming to improve reliability and reduce storm-related outages.
$6 billion Canada-New York underground power line enters service
A 339-mile underground and underwater transmission line linking Canada and New York City has entered service, delivering hydropower through what is considered North America's longest buried and submerged power cable system.
Centuri lands $300 million in new gas, electric infrastructure work
Centuri has secured more than $300 million in new utility and energy infrastructure project awards across the U.S. and Canada, including gas distribution upgrades, transmission work and electrical infrastructure projects.
Underground electrical mapping study highlights growing U.S. power grid risks
Scientists have created a new underground electrical map of the United States that could improve solar storm detection and help identify vulnerabilities in the nation’s power grid.
Howard County, Md., to install 30,000-gallon underground fire suppression tank
Howard County will begin construction on a 30,000-gallon underground fire suppression tank in Fulton, Md., including large-scale trench excavation and concrete installation.
Norfolk, Va., underground power line project expands to Riverview neighborhood
Dominion Energy has begun a new phase of underground power line construction in Norfolk, Va., as part of a broader effort to reduce outages and improve grid reliability.
Trump EPA wants to remove restraints on infrastructure permitting
Proposed EPA changes to Clean Water Act permitting could accelerate infrastructure approvals while limiting states’ ability to block projects, setting up a new regulatory battle over pipelines, utilities and water infrastructure.
Stormwater plan update highlights infrastructure gaps in Kalispell, Mont., system
An updated stormwater plan in Kalispell, Mont., found roughly one-third of the city’s pipes cannot handle a 10-year storm, prompting plans for upgrades to improve system capacity, reduce flooding and modernize aging infrastructure.
Sewer line break causes underground void, closes Cinco Ranch intersection
A broken sewer line caused an underground void beneath a major intersection in Cinco Ranch, Texas, forcing road closures while crews investigate the collapse and begin repairs to the damaged wastewater infrastructure.
$280 million invested in Illinois water, wastewater infrastructure upgrades in 2025
Illinois American Water invested more than $280 million in 2025 to upgrade treatment plants, pipelines and wastewater systems statewide, expanding capital spending to modernize aging infrastructure and improve system reliability.
American Water invests $3.2 billion in infrastructure as earnings rise, merger plans advance
American Water invested $3.2 billion in water and wastewater infrastructure in 2025 and plans continued system upgrades as it advances a merger with Essential Utilities and targets long-term growth across its regulated utility network.
LSC to build 240-mile underground dark fiber network in Indianapolis
Light Source Communications plans to build a 240-mile underground dark fiber network across Indianapolis, expanding data center connectivity with five new metro fiber rings scheduled for completion in 2027.
Army Corps awards Tetra Tech spot on $49-million water infrastructure design contract
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has selected Tetra Tech for a $49-million multiple-award contract to support design and resiliency upgrades for dams, levees, navigation systems and other critical water infrastructure.
Permian produced-water infrastructure to support new lithium carbonate facilities in Texas
New lithium carbonate production facilities planned across the Permian basin will tap existing produced-water pipelines and treatment infrastructure, highlighting a growing push to repurpose oilfield water networks for critical-minerals recovery.
NWPX Infrastructure names new executives to lead water transmission, precast operations
NWPX Infrastructure has promoted four leaders into senior operations roles, strengthening oversight across its water transmission systems and precast infrastructure businesses as the company positions for continued growth.
LA Metro advances fully underground rail option for Sepulveda Transit Corridor
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has approved a fully underground heavy-rail option for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor, advancing design and environmental review for one of Southern California’s largest tunneling and transit infrastructure projects.
Altadena residents rebuilding after fire face new costs from undergrounding plan
Altadena residents say SoCal Edison’s wildfire mitigation plan to bury power lines is leaving homeowners with unexpected bills of up to $40,000, sparking backlash as rebuilding continues after the Eaton Fire.
L.A. Metro advances underground heavy rail plan through Sepulveda Pass
The Los Angeles Metro board has selected an underground heavy rail option as the locally preferred alternative for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor, clearing the way for further design and environmental review of one of Southern California’s largest tunneling and transit infrastructure projects.
Dominion weighs underground option for Virginia 230-kV power line
Prince William County is pressing Dominion Energy to underground a proposed 230-kV transmission line, citing concerns with all overhead route options ahead of an SCC filing expected in 2026.
Baltimore Key Bridge rebuild hits $5.2 billion as pier protection drives costs
The cost to rebuild Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge has doubled to as much as $5.2 billion, driven by expanded pier protection, deeper foundations, and updated safety standards.
Box culvert, piling and bridge substructure work advance across north Mississippi
Box culvert installation, driven piling and bridge foundation work are moving forward on multiple MDOT projects across north Mississippi, supporting long-term structural and drainage improvements.
California city completes major Foothills utility undergrounding project
Palo Alto Utilities is completing a $11 million project to underground electric and fiber lines in the Foothills, cutting wildfire risk, improving reliability, and reducing the need for power shutoffs in high fire threat areas.
UIC 2026: Moving your business forward starts here
The infrastructure problems you're facing today didn't exist five years ago. And the ones coming next year? You can't solve them with last decade's playbook. UIC 2026 exists to close that gap – two concentrated days where you get ahead of the curve instead of scrambling to catch up.
Pipeline project leads list for North Dakota’s new infrastructure investment program
North Dakota is preparing to make its first in-state Legacy Fund investment, with a proposed Bakken natural gas pipeline emerging as the leading candidate. The state’s new Real Assets Fund is reviewing early projects, with potential funding decisions expected in early 2026.
LA County pushes to bury overhead power lines after wildfires, but telecom holdouts stall progress
Los Angeles County officials are pushing to move power lines underground after recent wildfires, but progress has stalled as telecom providers refuse to remove their overhead cables, forcing the county to consider legal action.
Alectra wins 2025 Underground Environmental Stewardship Award for cable rejuvenation gains
Alectra Utilities has received Southwire’s 2025 Underground Environmental Stewardship Award for its underground cable rejuvenation program, which delivered major reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions and extended asset life across its system.
Isla Mujeres begins underground power conversion along Rueda Medina Avenue
Crews in Isla Mujeres have begun replacing overhead power lines with an underground system along Rueda Medina Avenue, part of a modernization effort to improve storm resilience and restore the island’s iconic streetscape.
SAWS’ Jeff Habey to be honored as 2026 MVP
Jeff Haby, senior vice president of production operations at San Antonio Water System, has been selected as the 2026 Most Valuable Professional for his leadership in delivering more than $1.2 billion in critical water and wastewater infrastructure improvements.
Two days that will change how you approach infrastructure projects
UIC 2026 is almost here. Two days. Real education. Real technology. Real industry leaders. Join us in San Antonio Jan. 27–28 to get ahead of the trends reshaping underground infrastructure.
- Oil pipeline struck during fiber optic construction spills into L.A. storm drains
- Utility strike at center of Dallas explosion investigation
- Gas line strike destroys three homes in Ohio neighborhood
- $1 billion Ohio River Tunnel project awarded in Pittsburgh
- Las Vegas advances multibillion-dollar water pipeline expansion
- Final Lake Erie sewer tunnel project set to begin after decades-long $3 billion effort
- Inside Infrastructure: Utility locators warn of systemic failures in damage prevention process
- Senate passes PIPELINE Safety Act aimed at strengthening buried utility protection
- $104 million Lynchburg, Va., tunnel nears breakthrough beneath Blackwater Creek